Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Kanye West Fires Manager Scooter Braun

Scooter Braun, Kanye West

Kanye West canceled 21 tour dates in 2016 after suffering a “nervous breakdown,” but there are new fears for his health after he abruptly fired manager Scooter Braun and a “friend” claimed West had been addicted to opioids, according to Page Six at The NYPost.

On Monday, WQHT Hot 97 morning host Ebro Darden told listeners that he had spoken with West this weekend, and West allegedly told him, “Nobody really showed love for me when I was addicted to opioids and in the hospital.”

If West had actually canceled the tour due to drug use, it could have legal ramifications. The rapper filed a 2017 $10 million lawsuit against insurers Lloyd’s of London, claiming they were refusing to pay for his lost dates and citing his marijuana use as an excuse. The insurer finally caved in and agreed to pay most of what was due to cover the lost tour dates.

Meanwhile, a source close to West tells Page Six they were “doubtful” he was hospitalized for opioid use and “disappointed” Darden made those claims on-air.

Ebro Darden

West sources had said at the time of the 2016 breakdown that it was due to the death of his mom, the stress of juggling his fashion line and the tour, and acute sleeplessness and paranoia.

West dramatically just fired Braun and others in his inner circle — despite having just announced five new albums on Twitter — with sources spreading rumors online that those cast out were “very worried for Yeezy’s mental health” and that he could be suffering from “another episode.”

West hired Braun, who also reps Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, a couple of years ago.

While Braun and a rep for West didn’t comment, the first source explained, “Kanye has been saying he wants to bring all representation in-house, and that extends to his managers. His mentality is, ‘I can’t be someone’s client. I have to represent myself.’ He’s clearing house. Scooter remains in an advisory role.”